Lightning Strike as Probable Cause of Death and Determining Identity Based on the Examination of Skeletal Remains

• Published in: Journal of forensic sciences 2013-03, Vol.58 (2), p.527-529
• Main Authors: Hauser, Roman, Kaliszan, Michał, Basir, Aaron, Basir, Iwona Dawlidowicz ‐
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Bone and Bones - injuries; Bone and Bones - pathology; cause of death; Forensic Anthropology; Forensic osteology; forensic science; Fractures, Bone - pathology; Human remains; Humans; identity; Lightning Injuries - pathology; lightning strike; Male; Osteophyte - pathology; Skeletal system
• ISSN: 0022-1198; 1556-4029
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12087

In this article, a case of examining an incomplete human skeleton found in a forest is presented. Based on the assessment of posttraumatic lesions in the skull bones, the cause of death of a man who had died 14 years prior to the examination was determined with high probability to be due to a lightning strike. Moreover, the rare pathological lesions within the skeleton, such as a healed fracture of the humerus and rheumatoid malformations within the hand, in reference to preserved medical records, have also allowed to identify the deceased. Most noteworthy points in this case are, however, initially difficult to comprehend, posttraumatic lesions within the bones of the skull such as carbonization and fracture of the vertex. Their origin can be explained by a lightning strike as the most probable cause of death. Thus, the presented case demonstrates probable cause of death and identity can be established many years after death, based on skeletal remains.